Klondike Challenge

Thank You to Our Klondike Challenge Supporters:

The Klondike Challenge originated as a race on the AuSable River in Grayling, but the event was moved to Oscoda’s Van Etten Creek in 1996. The Klondike marks the “Season Kickoff” for the Michigan Canoe Racing season, and serves as a friendly, spirited sprint event before the MCRA’s Annual Spring Membership Meeting. Paddlers and race fans use the event to catch-up with race friends after a long winter offseason, and to get a sneak peek at the racers for the upcoming season (or to see who has been training during the winter!). Originally a race held in late January or February, it is now held annually in late winter or early spring. In recent years, the Klondike Challenge has become an AuSable River Canoe Marathon fundraising event, incorporating a 5K/10K Run/Walk into the weekend’s festivities. The event is organized by the AuSable River International Canoe Marathon Committee, and hosted in conjunction with the Michigan Canoe Racing Association. Paddlers and runners of all ages and talent levels are welcome to enter. See you there!

2019 CANOE / KAYAK CHALLENGEDate: Saturday, April 6, 2019Entry Fee: $5 per paddlerRegistration: 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. at Chemical Bank [4452 County Highway F-41, Oscoda, MI 48750]Event Start: C-2 event starts at 1:00 p.m. C-1 event starts after C-2’s are underway.Event Course: The course is approximately 4.25 miles (2.75 miles upstream, 1.5 miles downstream). The canoe / kayak challenge will start at the mouth of Van Etten Creek (where it meets the AuSable River), heading upstream to Van Etten Dam, then performing a counter-clockwise buoy-turn, and then heading back downstream to finish just passed the F-41 bridge near Chemical Bank. Race course is approximately 1 hour in length.Other info: Lunch & the MCRA Membership Meeting at the AuSable Inn at approximately 2:30 p.m. Lunch is not included in the entry fee. Non-racing canoes and non-racing kayaks are allowed. You must provide your own cold-weather gear and safety equipment, such as life jackets/PFD’s. Please take cold-weather and cold-water precautions.

2019 RUN / WALK CHALLENGEDate: Sunday, April 7, 2019Entry Fee: $10 per personRegistration: 11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. across from the Van Etten Lake State Forest Campground [Intersection of Perimeter Rd & Pride Rd]Event Start: 5K & 10K events start at 1:00 p.m.Event Course: Looped course along Perimeter Rd. 10K runners will do two laps.Other Info: Awards presented on-site immediately following the completion of both the 5K and 10K events.
This is a fundraising event for the AuSable River Canoe Marathon. Feel free to bring a dog to run/walk along side you! If you do so, we politely ask that the dog be on a leash.

For more information about the Canoe/Kayak or Run/Walk Challenge, please contact:
Rod Matthews
989-254-7815
rodmatthews29@yahoo.com